Biliary Fever - Clinical Signs of Disease

Clinical Signs of Disease

The peracute (very sudden and severe) form causes death within a few hours and treatment is of little avail. More commonly dogs suffer from the acute or subacute form. This is recognised by the dog being listless or lethargic, losing its appetite and running a temperature. If your dog is off its food, take a rectal temperature reading. If this is 39°C or higher you should have the dog examined - do not wait until its mucous membranes become pale, white or yellow, which commonly suggests a more advanced stage of the disease. Fever is present only while the patient is actively fighting the parasite; the disease may be present with a normal (38,5°C) or subnormal temperature. Yellow faeces and brown or red urine also suggests the presence of biliary fever.